NORTH EAST FLORIDA SCUBA DIVING

SCUBA DIVING in the North East Florida region

Has some of the best spear fishing in Florida

Diving locations stretch from Fernandina Beach near the Georgia coastline, through Jacksonville, down to New Smyrna Beach in the south. Most of the reefs, ledges and wrecks are 10 or more miles offshore, so expect an hour boat ride in many cases. Depths range from 60-100 feet and visibility can range up to 100 feet during the colder months.

The Jacksonville area has been ignored by some divers who feel that the waters are too deep or dark, however an active artificial reef program has placed many interesting wrecks on the bottom. Local dives include Blackmar’s Reef, Coppedge Tug and the Freighter Anna Artificial Reef. The Anna, a 225-foot freighter, was reefed in 1986 off the coast of Jacksonville. She now lies in 110 feet of water making this a more advanced dive. Goliath Grouper can also be found hanging out in the wrecks and expect to find clouds of baitfish and tiny tropicals hide inside colorful corals and sponges.

For spear fisherman, the local waters are well known and are home to masses of up to 40 pound cobia, kings, tarpon, amberjacks and barracuda.